Chemical Equipment Operators

At a Glance

Control the flow of chemicals through production equipment
Clean and maintain equipment
Work indoors
Have a low level of social interaction
Often work day, evening, or night shifts
Train on the job

Career summary

Chemical equipment operators control the flow of chemicals through production equipment.

Workers in these occupations may also be called chemical equipment controllers and operators, or chemical equipment tenders.

#From 5918 Chemical and Rubber Processing Occupations

#3/26/19 lh

Chemical equipment operators begin a new production cycle by reading the list of ingredients and the processing instructions. They weigh or measure the proper amount of each chemical needed for the product.

Operators set and adjust gauges, timers, and other controls that regulate the processing. These controls adjust the feed and flow of liquids and gases through equipment. They make sure that each ingredient is added in the correct order.

While the chemicals are being processed, operators monitor the equipment. They watch gauges, meters, and panel lights that indicate the temperature and pressure. They often keep a log of this data.

Operators also test samples of the product during various stages of production. They use equipment, such as pH meters, to test samples and determine if the product is being processed properly. When they find problems, operators contact supervisors.

When a production cycle is complete, operators clean the equipment. They drain equipment and pump water through it. Operators also perform basic maintenance on the equipment. They lubricate parts and replace parts that wear out frequently.

Operators also monitor the work area for leaks or malfunctioning equipment. They discuss repairs with the maintenance staff.

Equipment operators keep track of raw materials used in production. Some operators supervise several machines or processes in addition to supervising workers.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to chemical equipment operators.

Read list of ingredients and processing instructions.
Weigh or measure ingredients and add them to processing equipment.
Set and adjust gauges and timers.
Start pumps, turn valves, or move controls to begin processing.
Observe gauges, meters, and panel lights to monitor temperature or pressure.
Record data, such as temperature, pressure, ingredients used, processing time, or test results.
Draw samples of product for testing.
Test samples using test equipment, such as hydrometer or pH meter.
Inspect equipment to detect leaks and malfunctions.
Notify maintenance department of equipment breakdowns.
Drain equipment. Pump water or other solution through to clean tanks or equipment.
Direct activities of workers helping to process or unload materials.
Replace filters, make minor repairs, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.
Observe safety precautions to prevent fires and explosions.
Inventory supplies received and used.

Common work activities

Chemical equipment operators perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
Get information needed to do the job
Make decisions and solve problems
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Control machines and processes
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Identify objects, actions, and events
Document and record information
Establish and maintain relationships
Teach others
Evaluate information against standards
Explain the meaning of information to others
Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
Process information
Analyze data or information
Perform activities that use the whole body
Handle and move objects
Use computers
Coordinate the work and activities of others
Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
Develop and build teams
Coach others
Organize, plan, and prioritize work
Update and use job-related knowledge
Assist and care for others
Judge the value of objects, services, or people
Provide advice and consultation to others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, chemical equipment operators:

Interpersonal relationships

Have a medium level of social contact with others.
Talk with others usually through face-to-face discussions, e-mail, and telephone.
Often work as part of a team.
Are responsible for the health and safety of other workers in the plant.
Are responsible for the work done by the workers who assist them.
Occasionally deal with conflict situations.

Physical work conditions

Often wear hardhats, safety glasses, body suits, or breathing devices.
Are exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels that may be uncomfortable.
Are regularly exposed to contaminants.
Work both indoors and outdoors.
Are sometimes exposed to hazardous equipment.
May be exposed to hot or cold temperatures. Indoor locations are often not temperature controlled. Outdoor work sites are usually under cover.
Sometimes must work in very dim or bright lighting.
Are sometimes exposed to hazardous situations that can produce cuts or burns.
Sometimes must climb to high places or get into cramped positions to reach work spaces.

Work performance

Must be sure that all details of the job are complete.
Must be very accurate in processing chemicals. Errors in mixing chemicals could endanger workers or consumers.
Must pace work to match the speed of the processing equipment.
Often repeat the same physical activities.
Usually are not required to consult a supervisor before making decisions or setting tasks and goals.
Meet strict weekly deadlines.
Daily make decisions that strongly impact coworkers and their company.

Hours/travel

Usually work 40 hours a week. Schedules are usually established.
Often work day, evening, or night shifts.

Physical demands

Chemical equipment operators frequently:

Stand for long periods of time.
Walk or run for long periods of time.
Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Repeat the same movements.

It is important for chemical equipment operators to be able to:

Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
Understand the speech of another person.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for chemical equipment operators to be able to:

Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
Determine the distance between objects.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
See objects in very bright or glaring light.

Skills and abilities

Chemical equipment operators need to:

Communicate

Understand spoken information.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Understand written information.
Listen to others and ask questions.
Read and understand work-related materials.
Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
Recognize the nature of a problem.
Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
Develop rules that group items in various ways.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Check how well one is learning or doing something.
Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operate and control equipment.
Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.

Perceive and visualize

Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Other programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a chemical equipment operator, you typically need to:

have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school. Some operators earn an associate degree in chemical technology. These programs teach you the principles of chemistry, computer applications, and lab research methods.

On-the-job training

Most chemical equipment operators learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. As a new worker, you begin with simple tasks, such as helping other operators. As you gain experience, you learn to operate equipment. It can take up to a year to become familiar with the most complex equipment.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Chemistry
Computer Fundamentals
Equipment Maintenance and Repair
Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants also must be at least 18 years old. Some employers require one or two years of training beyond high school in chemistry and math. Many employers prefer people who have related experience in manufacturing plants. Employers look for people who have some knowledge of mechanical equipment.

Many employers require applicants to take drug-screening tests.

Some chemical equipment operators are hired from inside the plant. They may have been assistants who worked hard and showed an interest in learning more.

Employers also look for workers who have a positive attitude and are safety conscious.

Tips

Rubber and chemical plants are modernizing or automating through the use of computers. Some computer familiarity may be helpful. Most companies will continue to train and retrain workers on the job.

Costs to workers

Union workers must pay an initiation fee and monthly dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link) .

Wages

Chemical equipment operators and tenders (SOC 51-9011)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$14.76	$17.35	$21.02	$25.33	$31.31
	Monthly	$2,558	$3,007	$3,643	$4,390	$5,426
	Yearly	$30,700	$36,080	$43,720	$52,690	$65,120
Longview	Hourly	$14.60	$32.88	$43.29	$48.27	$51.52
	Monthly	$2,530	$5,698	$7,502	$8,365	$8,928
	Yearly	$30,354	$68,401	$90,039	$100,388	$107,156
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$16.22	$18.05	$21.35	$25.12	$29.38
	Monthly	$2,811	$3,128	$3,700	$4,353	$5,092
	Yearly	$33,734	$37,556	$44,405	$52,251	$61,111
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$13.87	$17.48	$22.41	$26.68	$29.90
	Monthly	$2,404	$3,029	$3,884	$4,624	$5,182
	Yearly	$28,858	$36,366	$46,617	$55,479	$62,184
Vancouver	Hourly	$13.06	$14.86	$18.39	$24.30	$32.08
	Monthly	$2,263	$2,575	$3,187	$4,211	$5,559
	Yearly	$27,173	$30,904	$38,253	$50,549	$66,718
United States	Hourly	$13.96	$17.67	$23.45	$30.47	$37.34
	Monthly	$2,419	$3,062	$4,064	$5,280	$6,471
	Yearly	$29,050	$36,750	$48,770	$63,380	$77,660

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The operator's level of responsibility also affects wages.

Chemical equipment operators who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders (SOC 51-9011)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	1,410	10.4%	16.1%	188
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	197	14.7%	15.2%	28
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	38	2.6%	14.1%	4
King County	67	16.4%	19.6%	10
Snohomish County	73	50.7%	12.4%	18
United States	84,400	-4.9%	5.2%	9,000

National employment

Major employers:

Chemical manufacturing companies
Drug manufacturing companies
Plastic manufacturing companies

National outlook

Demand is declining for this occupation. Competition from manufacturers in other countries is growing stronger. Some companies will move their operations to other countries to reduce costs. Farmers are also using fewer agricultural chemicals. However, reduced demand will be partially offset by demand for these chemicals by farmers in other countries.

Despite the decline in the number of jobs, openings will occur as current operators retire or leave this occupation for other reasons.

Other resources

American Chemistry Council
700 Second Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
202.249.7000

Washington Business Week
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

Manufacturing

Career path

Realistic (Technical)

O*Net occupation

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders (51-9011.00)

O*Net job zone

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.